WHY ?
Human Futures
The WFSF Executive Board had some lively discussion about a title for our relaunched Magazine , but the majority of titles included the word ‘ human ’.
The WFSF , after all , was founded on a strong commitment to humanism .
In calling our magazine ‘ HUMAN FUTURES ’ we distinguish the World Futures Studies Federation from futures organisations with national or regional interests , and from those that emphasise high-tech , commercial and / or corporate futures . The title also counters an all-too-common media trivialisation of futures studies .
As a vision for our work , it is hard to improve on the quote made over ten years ago by Emeritus Professor Eleonora Barbieri Masini in “ Reflections on World Futures Studies Federation ” ( Futures 37 , 2005 , 361-369 ). Eleonora is the longest serving Senior Executive the Federation has ever had .
“ The vision of the Federation is just as valid today as it was when the Federation started [ in 1973 ]. It can still perform the role of a modest bridge between people who are concerned with building a humane world .”
- ELEONORA BARBIERI MASINI
She served as Secretary-General from 1975 to 1981 ( alongside Johan Galtung and the late Mahdi Elmandjira ) and then as elected President ( 1981-1990 ). Here is a short video where Eleonora talks about the importance of foresight .
Eleonora Barbieri Masini on the importance of foresight .
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